The Jelly Hose

Joel and I were snuggling on the sofa, under a blanket, singing Christmas carols last night. His sweet little face and voice were within three inches of mine, and I was studying his precious mouth, his young smile, his delightful singing voice...trying to package it in my memory for all time. I was waxing sappy when...

...we got to the part in the song that goes, "With th'angelic host proclaim..." and I saw and heard what he thought were the words.

"With the jelly hose proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'"

Not a Big Fan

Tonight was Joel's co-0p Christmas presentation. This morning I was prepping him by telling him what he'd wear.

"Holiday clothes," I said. "That's what the email said kids should wear. No t-shirts and jeans."
I showed him the long-sleeved red polo and black corduroys he was going to put on.

"I'll look like a nerd," he said. "I don't even like red anymore."
"Too bad," I said, "and you won't look like a nerd. All the kids will be wearing Christmas colors."

He whined and sulked and finally I said, "Keep it up, young man, and you'll land yourself in trouble."

"I'm just not a big fan of the holidays!" he said.

"Okay, I'll take back all your presents, then," I said. "They're for the holidays."

"Well, I am a big fan of presents, but not holidays."

"You mean holiday clothes?"

"Yeh, holiday clothes."

--------------
He wore the red and black tonight.

Oh, She's Such a Bad Sister

Sarah came in from shopping for a few family members, Joel included.
He asked, "What did you get me?"
She: Can't tell ya.
He: Tell me!
She: A Barbie in a bikini.
He: (clenching his jaw) I won't appreciate that.
She: A baby doll.
He: Nuh-uh. I won't like that. Now, tell me the truth.
She: Okay......(singing) "My Little Pony, My Little Pony..."
He: Errrgh! Take it back!
She: All right, but you won't have anything from me.
He: Uh-huh! I think you'll get me Lego Star Wars.
She: If I do, do you think I'll tell you?
He: Yes, you will.

The Amazing Spider-Man and his Patient Superdog

For Halloween this year, Joel was Spider-Man.

I bought the costume about 2 weeks earlier and he dressed up in it every day. He used last year's costume (Superman pj's) to torture the dog.

One of the houses we were approaching while trick-or-treating, had a little dog dressed up in a cape, sitting so still we couldn't tell if he was fake or real. Joel tiptoes and looked over his shoulder at me, "I have a bad feeling about this."

The dog was real. Real harmless.

Who is Mother's Day for, Anyway?

Joel has a little friend named Jack.
Jack's mom is very nice.
Joel likes Jack's mom, too.
Joel is a big gift giver.
Sarah likes to help Joel shop for gifts.
Sarah said, yesterday, "Joel, let's go out and get a Mother's Day gift."
Joel asked, "For Jack's mom?"